Aug 2018 – May 2019 – Hilux build out: Self-sufficiency for weeks at a time and the final mods (Part 3 of 3)

The Mega Transect expedition: build-out continued Water and Gas A 10-gallon (45-litre) water tank (Front Runner Outfitters), a 4.5-gallon (20-litre) water-purifying jerry can (LifeSaver), for when we are unsure about the purity of our water source. Plus 2.85-gallon (3.9-kilogram) gas bottle for our two ring burner.   Refrigeration While our previous means of a fridge […]

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Aug 2018 – May 2019 – Toyota Hilux build out: Lockable storage and reliability off-road (Part 2 of 3)

The Mega Transect expedition: build-out continued Drawer, slide and cabinet system A British custom-designed drawer system, gearslide and cabinet solution (Gearmate), has revolutionised our load space. All lockable, the drawers offer up to 330-pounds’ (150-kilograms) load capacity and incredibly, extend 100 per cent, which brings our gear – separated by dividers and on a gripped […]

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Aug 2018 – May 2019 – Toyota Hilux build out: A basic but capable 4WD, cooking and sleeping (Part 1 of 3)

The Mega Transect Motorcycle keys hung up for now, it’s a pleasure to share how we took a Toyota 4WD through its transformation. Ignoring the swarm of butterflies celebrating in my stomach, I’m hoping our efforts and choices will reap reward on what we’re calling ‘The Mega Transect’. Possibly help inform a decision you may […]

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24 Sept 2016 – 15 Jan 2017 – Goodbye Pearl, two Canadian winter newbies & hello Mr Jangles

The thought of halting our trip was completely untenable. Coming up to three years in maintaining a steady momentum, why would we stop now? Yet staying a few nights over late summer at Nevil and Michelle’s place merged rapidly into a fortnight, which fused at equal speed into a few weeks, that somehow extended into […]

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7-14 Aug 2016 – Still drunk on Juneau: Alaska’s wilderness capital

Where the city ends, Juneau Icefield begins—and keeps going and going. Undoubtedly, its centerpiece is Mendenhall Glacier. Like just about everything else in Southeast Alaska, it sits inside Tongass National Forest. Incredibly, a temperate rainforest no less, which in parts endures more than 16 feet of annual rainfall. No surprise that a fine drizzle falling on […]

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24 Jun-31 Jul 2016 – Exploring Alaska’s Inside Passage…

Regrouping with the Fishhook Fatties in Wasilla from coming down the Dalton, we jumped at joining them in celebrating Jade Laughlin’s birthday. Over a succulent hog roast (formerly known as Leona, hand reared by one of the younger Fishhook Fatties), and locally brewed beer: a refreshing Rhubarb Hefeweizen and Salted Caramel Red blend, which had […]

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19-23 Jun 2016 – Where there’s pinnacle pleasure, there’s Prudhoe Bay!

After perhaps the liveliest non-rallies I’ve experienced—Dust to Dawson—the road to Thompson’s Eagle’s Claw Campground in Tok beat backward under us. I rose the following morning muddy-eyed having burnt the candle down to a nub. Stepping out of Tok and leaving behind the fairytale of trees whose brindled bark reminded me of muscular animals overgrown […]

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